BREAD OF MY LIFE (15 April 1997 – Tuesday)
JESUS, You are:
The bread that nourishes me
The bread that strengthens me
The bread that heals me
I believe in everything You say
I will trust in all Your promises
For I am convinced all of them are true.
I couldn’t ask for more
You alone I desire
You alone I longed for
And if to love You
Is to love all humanity
Then give me such a big, big heart to do it.
You who are my bread of life
Can do it
I trust in Your word.
IF YOUR ONLY JOY (14 October 1997 – Tuesday)
If your only joy is to love and serve the Lord,
Where you are doesn’t matter much
If you die, you are just transformed
In another state where you can still
Love and serve the Lord
Even with greater freedom.
It won’t matter much should yougo to hell
At least one soul is there to love and serve the
Lord
As St. Therese would do so willingly
Or to purgatory, it is just right to get purified
In order to be in the presence of the great God
Or in heaven – oh, that would be fullness of joy.
If in heaven, it won’t matter if you will be provided
With just a small dwelling place
For then, your only joy would only be
To love and serve the Lord wholly.
You won’t envy anyone for anything
Save for the great love one has for our Lord and
King.
If I die, my only regret would be
If I had loved the Lord less than my capacity
Or the gifts and talents bestowed on me
That is why I earnestly pray
Grant Lord that I may love and serve You fully
With all of me, not only partly.
OH GOD, MY BELOVED (16 October 1997 – Thursday)
Oh God, my Beloved
You are the reason of my existence
The joy of my living
In You, I find meaning in everything
Oh God, my Beloved
To You I will be returning
In living and in dying
To You alone belong my whole being.
25 MAY 1997 – TRINITY SUNDAY
POEM FOR FIRST PROFESSION:
AM I DREAMING
Oh, my Lord, am I dreaming
Is it true or real all that is happening?
Am I really garbed in this clothing?
And to the public professing?
Is it a dream that I would be wearing?
The veil that signifies my belonging
Wholly to Christ, Lord of earth and heaven
My first profession of vows to be pronouncing.
“I give myself to You Lord, just as I am.
With all I may have and desire.
Just as I am I give myself to You.
Make me chaste, poor, obedient and holy.
And so will I be.”
Am I dreaming that at last,
I pronounced my vows and made public my love?
For my Beloved Jesus who has loved me endlessly
And called me to be wholly His as Carmelite
Missionary.
I AM THE BRIDE (1 December 1998 – Tuesday)
I look at You and see You
Hanging on the Cross
Crowned with thorns
I look and see myself
Crowned with the same
But mine is strewn with flowers
Why not?
For I am the Bride
Of the Crucified Savior.
What honor! What priv
ilege! What joy!
To be chosen as one
And I choose to be such one
Desiring no other glory
But the Cross of my Beloved One
No other crown but like the one He wore
But mine is strewn with flowers
Why not?
I am the Bride of the Lamb.
I HAVE SET MY HEART (24 December 1997)
Things are so fleeting
One moment is here present
Then gone again in seconds.
Even the most awaited event
Is bound to pass no more present
But part of past moment.
And so I have set my heart
On things that would ever last
On You Beloved Jesus and God’s kingdom.
Give me anything
Joys, sorrows, affliction, pain, suffering
Still will I trust in your love divine.
Claim me as Your very own
For to You I wholly belong
And to You I have set my heart alone.
THE LAMB AND HIS BRIDE (8 October 2002 – Tuesday)
My Jesus, You are the Lamb of God
Who takes away the sins of the world
The Merciful Savior whom the Father
Has sent into and for the world.
And I, am Your Bride
The Bride of the Lamb
I unite myself to You
For the life and salvation of the world.
In receiving You, I receive everything
For You are everything
And in accepting You, I accept everything
For everything and everyone is in You.
Let this be until the end
Or better still
Let this be without end
In a word, let it be for all eternity.
21 APRIL 2003 – EASTER MONDAY
POEM FOR PERPETUAL PROFESSION:
JESUS, MY BELOVED
Jesus, my Beloved,
You love me,
That’s all I need to know
You love me,
That’s all I want to know
How can I doubt Your love?
I have
The Cross
And the Eucharist
And this day, You are mine
forever
I am Yours forever
My Beloved, how do You want me
to love You?
Ah, by being Yours and Yours
alone
So will the people see
How much You love me
Or rather, they have witnessed this day
Your unbounded love for me
They have seen too how much I desire
To love You in return
By being Yours alone for all eternity
And I desire that with this
People will desire to love You too
MY JESUS (23 January 2003 – Thursday)
When is the time when You will be:
The delightful thought of my mind
The sweet remembrance of my memory
The melodious sound in my ear
The constant refrain of my lips
The gentle longing in my heart
The full joy of my being
I hope it will not be long in coming.
DARE TO GIVE (7 N0v. 2006 – Tuesday)
When opportunity comes your way
To do good or make others happy
Dare to give and take the chance
Be it an aid, a song, a smile or a loving glance
Don’t postpone it if you can
Give the best you have at hand
Dare to give, to live, to love and serve
Give to God and neighbor what they deserve
Don’t hold back your talents and gifts
Who knows whose spirit they lift
Dare to give your very best
Joy and peace be yours until you rest
A POEM A DAY (25/11/2018)
That’s what Fr. Larry said
When first poem to him presented
A poem a day for theme inspired
Even at times more than aspired.
For 8-day retreat, I could hardly believe
Not only eight poems but two plus twelve
Plus prayers in verse form of acronyms
For special persons with their names.
And now, retreat is over
Inspiration seems to flow like ariver
As if a gold mine is open
Words just coming out from within.
I think a poem a day
It seems possible I may say
Just a line or two
To remember something’s beautiful or true.
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER (27/11/2018)
As they said, “Age is just a number.”
I agree ‘coz I have friends according to how I
appear,
When I was not yet a teen-ager,
Apart from agemates, my friends were in grades
higher.
And when I was 12 years old,
To Non-formal class of handicraft enrolled,
I was the smallest and youngest in years,
My colleagues, my classmates’ mothers.
Reaching 1st year high school, my Adviser said,
“You are like a premature old
maid.”
Long-haired, demure, so simple, always in dress and outdated,
A number of outings missed to do projects instead.
Reaching 41, I was listed, 
Among sisters perpetually professed,
To take part in English Renewal
Course,
My batchmates became, sisters my seniors.
But when I reached 45, I was told,
“You look 27 years old.”
No wonder I got good friends in
late twenties,
Though I can be a good friend to
babies and grannies in 70’s.
And again, recently my Retreat
Director said,
You can’t be more than 32 years in age.”
Would you be surprised if I tell you,
Apart from agemates, my very good friends now are in thirties – 33 or 32.
So, don’t let your age hinder you,
To do the good required and what you love to do.
You may be young in years but mature and wise,
Or advance in age but still active and full of life.
And so, this is my simple plan,
To learn and do whatever good I can,
Be it virtue, skill, language, art or dance,
Take the opportunity while there’s chance.
Thus, next year, God willing, I tell you,
I will also learn to dance in tiptoe,
When most Ballerinas retire at 40,
Here I come to start at 50.
Therefore, I reiterate brethren and friends dear,
Age is truly just a Number,
God loves each of us boundlessly the same,
Whether baby, Miss or Mrs., Mr. or
Shosho (Grandma) added to our name.
He calls us in every or any AGE,
Whether as baby, youth, adult or aged,
To spread His love far and near,
For all, fullness of life with Him, here, now and
forever.
8/02/2019 – Friday
BE THE REASON SOMEONE SMILES TODAY
Be the reason someone smiles today
By your smile and kind words you say
By the good deed you do
To neighbors, both friend and foe.
Be the reason someone smiles today
By the help you give to those who come your way
Especially the aged, sick, poor and needy
Those without home and family.
CROWN OF LIFE (27/11/2018)
(Based on Lk. 21: 5-11)
“Be faithful unto death”
Said the Lord of both the living and dead
“I will give you the crown of life”
Everlasting joy and life without strife.
On this earth you are on a journey
A pilgrim towards God your eternal destiny
On things on earth, set not your heart
For in death, from these, you must surely depart.
But set your heart on things of heaven above
Living your life on earth full of love
And service, for God, neighbors and creation
Bringing all to blessed life and salvation
Then at the end, the crown of life be set
On the just ones, faithful unto death
To be with their Lord in heaven forever stay
Beholding His goodness, mercy and beauty.
GAUDEN AND CHING (03/03/2019 – Sunday)
Gauden and Ching, our beloved parents
So generous, honest and loving
Bringing us close to God since we were children
Even still serving Him, till now, they are aging
Both firstborns from different clans
So responsible and working hard as you can
Sharing to us by your example
How to live godly life that is simple
Thus, we have learned how to be happy and contented
In any situation or circumstances
Not despising poor condition and poverty
Nor be dazzled by riches and material prosperity
Thanks so much our dear parents
Gauden and Ching
For who you have been to us
Good parents after the heart of Christ
1 May 2015-Golden Wedding Anniversary, Gauden and Ching with Ronald, Theresa, Bong and Sr. Jo, CM
GIFT OF ANOTHER DAY (18/12/2019 – Tuesday)
Thank You Lord for gift of another day
With eager hope with You to stay
Whatever comes our way
Dear Lord, from You, let us not be away.
Let Your Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts
His wisdom and light to us impart
That whatever comes our way
Dear Lord, from Your will let us not stray.
Happy Birthday, Dear Sr. Paulette! (4/12/2018)
Happy Birthday, Dear Sr. Paulette
Friend, sister and daughter so sweet
Ever kind, loving, caring and playful
To both young and old, always helpful
May God be with you and bless you
As sharing in His mission, you continue
Spreading His love and goodness to everyone
Wherever and whenever you can
May yours be love, peace and joy
As all your gifts for good you employ
Helping others to be well and happy
One in love with God, our origin and destiny
HAVE MERCY ON ME (7/12/2018 – Friday)
I don’t ask You like the two blind men to see
Who cried out to You, “Son of David, have mercy.”
But what am asking You earnestly
Have mercy on me and heal me of my hypocrisy.
Let me live genuinely
As Your true Bride can be
Always eager to seek and do Your will
The mission You sent me to fulfill
Let me not be entertained by trivialities
But let my vision be for heavenly realities
Always anticipating Your coming at any moment
To all I meet, eager welcome here at present.
Have mercy on me and heal me too
As you have granted sight to the blind duo
Let my total conversion be this day
To live and love like You, Jesus, I pray.
HUMAN VS DIVINE (29/11/2018 – Thursday)
Oh, what ingratitude of human
To You Jesus, the God-Man
After all the good You have done
On the Cross offered, the Unblemished lamb.
What great and boundless love shown
By the Divine in this great oblation
He not only created us and sustained
But also redeemed to be His children beloved.
What ingratitude of humanity!
And what love of Divinity!
When we didn’t as much suffer and sacrifice
Our inheritance is the same with the Christ.
20/01/2018 – Sunday
IBANAG POEM I LEARNED AS A CHILD29/11/2018 – Thursday
Ananoy Bannoy
Mataki si Kengkoy
Mariga magana
Awang tu bagga
JESUS, GOOD SHEPHERD
Jesus, all through the years
You have been a Good Shepherd
Son of God and Son of Man
Fully divine and as well human.
As a child, You are my Model and Teacher
Teaching me to choose good, not evil
Helping me to curb my hot temper
To be honest and not a cheater.
As a teen – ager, You are a faithful Friend
And personal Savior I could depend
A constant companion by my side
Even when alone, I could confide.
And in religious life, I came to know
You are Merciful Savior too
Who saved me out of darkness
To enjoy the marvelous life of blessedness.
As my namesake St. Josephine Bakhita
Discovered You as Ultimate Master
So also I discovered You as Ultimate Beloved
“Lover and the Church’s Head” (Fr. Palau).
Beloved Jesus, Good Shepherd
Who for the flock that You cared
Suffered, died and rose from the dead
That all God’s children to Your kingdom be led.
“KITU KIDOGO” (13/12/2018)
I first heard in 2013 of “kitu kidogo”
From cooks who prepared the food and menu
For 10-year Anniversary of St.Therese Dispensary
Our health facility started in 2003.
To our surprise, “kitu kidogo” can actually be big
When you have not agreed beforehand the price to
be paid
For what is “kitu kidogo” to someone
May be great for me or you or anyone.
As I stayed on more years in Kenya
This “kitu kidogo” is not something to be promoted
with stamina
For I have experienced and witnessed
The evil it brings especially to people in distress.
Too much love for “kitu kidogo”
Shows its ugly face in places you wouldn’t want to
go
Unbelievably, in the mortuary they expected too
“kitu kidogo”
Even from a distressed and sorrowing widow
You also see “kitu kidogo” in action closely
On the road or highway
Where drivers stop at many points of entry
To give police “kitu kidogo” to pass safely
And in the late evening
Or when raining,
When people going home fatigued and stressed
Here comes the matatu with the fare’s price
increased.
How could we possibly change this prevailing “kitu
kidogo mentality?
Asking for something more, for soda or tea
For services in offices which is actually one’s duty
to render
Taking advantage of people’s distress and misery
instead of being of help and kinder.
Grant us, dear Lord, light and grace we pray
Help us turn this “kitu kidogo” mentality
Into something sublime such as acts of charity and
works of mercy
And truly, an appreciation for duty or job
done well and faithfully.
LORD, BLESS JOSEPH AND MARY (15/12/2018 – Saturday)
Lord, bless Joseph and Mary
Especially today on their wedding day
Make the sun to come out and shine
So to enjoy their celebration as they dine.
Be with them all their marriage days
Bestow mutual love and faithfulness always
Bless them that this day of their wedding
Be full of joy, worth remembering.
Bless them with all the necessary graces
Love, joy, unity, peace and enough resources
Bless them too with gifts of children
To be good citizens on earth, then of heaven.
LOVE FOR POETRY (7/03/2019 – Thursday)
It didn’t start today
My love for poems and poetry
Even before I started to study in school
In school programs, to recite a poem, I
was usually called.
And in my elementary years
Up to the time of high school days
Poems I continue to keep in memory
Even till now I can recite some without a copy
But now that am close to fifty
Golden age or half a century
Poems that I recite to anyone
Are now my very own, not copied from someone
Oh, how I love poems and poetry
Especially for the lessons they carry
Or values or important message to convey
Can help us to live better or amend our way
They serve as reminder to both young and old
Of some life’s essential or values to uphold
Helping us in life’s journey
On our way to eternity to be one with the Trinity
MORE THAN ANY (26/11/2018)
(Based on Luke 21: 1-4)
As Jesus stood at the temple near the treasury
People came to bring their offertory
Many gave in large quantity
A widow also gave two coins no more than a
penny .
Then Jesus called His disciples to say
See this widow put in more than any
For others gave their surplus to spare
But she, all she had to live on, came to share.